Design and Fabrication of Laboratory Size 100kg Charge Bottom Fed Oxygen Steel Converter Shell with Gear Tilting Mechanism

Abstract

Steel industry can successfully spring up and expand starting from small cottage industries which may develop from using transferred technology of steelmaking using different kind of steel converters produced on small scale prior to take off of the Ajaokuta Steel Complex. Having discovered the very wide gap existing between the demand and supply of steels and steel products; the non-availability of steelmaking equipment in the laboratories for practical purpose in the Universities; there is therefore the need to come up with steel making equipment which can be designed and fabricated. It will also expose the students to design and fabrication principles; and enhancing their overall understanding to metallurgy of iron and steel making processes. The present work reports the design and fabrication of a 100 kg capacity bottom fed oxygen steel converter using locally available materials as a step to meeting the need of a steel making in the country. The work is limited to designing and fabrication of the shell of the converter shell and refractory lining, pillow bearing pivot, mild steel stand for support, and the tilting mechanism which containing the gears and driving electric motor. The facility was produced at a cost of N759,200:00 ($1,800 USD)